You're Loved No Matter What - A Book Review

So, it's Wednesday and apparently the kids these days have this little thing they call 'Woman Crush Wednesday' and while I don't love the title, there is this:

(And these are just the ones that I haven't loaned out right now!  There are others, too!)

I sort of do have a 'crush' on Holley Gerth!  She is an encourager, a believer in fully investing, a life coach and counselor, a friend and mentor and sister to all who cozy up for a cup of coffee or tea (whether it be face to face, or virtually over in her little corner of the interwebs, or at the site she co-founded that we all love, Incourage.me)  She is a stirrer-upper and igniter and releaser of God-Sized Dream(er)s and, really, who doesn't love (and need a bit of) that?

It's true... pretty much whatever she says/writes/posts, I think y'all should read because reading her words is reading her heart, and reading her heart is letting His heart beat stronger and louder and clearer -in you, for you, and through you. 

Did you see that underlined quote above?  Here... because you just can't miss it:

"Jesus wants us to trade our purses of 'perfection' for a much lighter load instead.  

He offers us security in place of striving.

Full hearts instead of full schedules.

Receiving instead of trying to buy our way to acceptance."

(I know, right? So good!)

At the heart of this book, Holley partners with God and wants to make sure that you get this: You were never created to be perfect! 

Just let. it. go.  (Not as in Frozen, but as in stop the madness, my friends!)

Perfectionism always tells you that you are not enough, that you are lacking or less than, that you must try harder and do more. Perfectionism is bossy and exhausting and oh my goodness, it just never ever ends. However, as Holley points out, 

"Gratitude is like kryptonite to perfectionism."   (You're Loved No Matter What, pg 140)

You're Loved No Matter What is all about your freedom and Holley offers tips and encouragement to help you stop the pursuit of perfection, and replace it with a knowing that you cannot earn the love that you seek. It's yours - 'No Matter What'!

My copy is already highlighted, underlined, and dog-eared, and I am already thinking of everyone who I think should read this book! (Which, by the way, is pretty much everyone!)

This book came to me in the midst of planning a Baby Shower in a Pinterest age... come on, y'all! You know what I'm talking about! And I LOVE to plan a party... I love to pick a theme and troll through Pinterest and pay attention to all the details! But there must be a cut off time to keep it real (and somewhat within budget, am I right?) 

It also showed up in my mailbox when I was sort of arguing with God about how He was being bossy about not letting me prep much for an upcoming talk on Identity. (I know... I don't recommend fighting with God - but I'm all about being honest here!)  But this book is full of confirmation and insight and I know now why He had me wait! I will be recommending it at my workshop in a couple of weeks!

If you are unsure of your true identity... if you have worn masks for so long that you have forgotten what the real you looks like, feels like, thinks or enjoys... Chapter 6 will help you begin to recognize yourself once again.  

And even if you feel confident in who you are, there is this truth that we can all grab hold of and run with:

You know... sort of like Speak Life!  Sort of like, call out the gold in others... sort of like stop apologizing for who you are and what you are good at and just go about doing your Father's work!

And speaking of our Father's work and how He is not letting me pre-plan any every word ahead of time... there is this, from page 143:

"Life is not a test.  It's an experiment. To grow and learn, you have to just do something sometimes and see what happens.  When we're trying to be perfect, we don't give ourselves this freedom. We think we need to have everything figured out and be sure we can execute our plan flawlessly before we ever take a step. I wonder how many books have gone unwritten, how many races uncompleted, how many relationships never started because of false beliefs. There is no way to do anything perfectly in this world. You're going to mess it up. I guarantee it. There is always risk. And the only way to deal with that is to increase your tolerance to things not going the way you planned.

If you're not ever making mistakes, you're not getting out of your comfort zone enough. Push until you fail. Then pull back a bit, learn some more, and try again. That's how growth happens."

Bam! (Drops the mic.)

Yeah - did you see that about "Comfort Zones"?  (Remember what God asked me at the If:Local gathering? "What Comfort Zone?" Yeah. That.)

So thank you, sweet Holley Gerth! Thank you for once again writing your heart and His heart and pouring out encouragement and tips for living this one life well! 

Thank you for Speaking Life, for Being Love, and for Shining On!

       


P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday

Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory

Holley Gerth for #CoffeeforYourHeart

Meredith Bernard for #Woman2WomanWednesday

So I really think you should get your hands on this book and let it work its' way deep down into your heart! Obv's! 

Revell sent me a complimentary copy in advance for an honest review.